Virology - BIOS 5340
Winter, 2001
Department of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor:
Dr. K. Essani, Professor
Office: Wood Hall, Room 3931; Laboratory: Haenicke Hall, Room 2007
Phone: 387-2661; Fax: 387-5609; Internet: karim.essani@wmich.edu
Office Hours:
Mondays 2:00-4:00 pm and Tuesdays 2:30-4:30 pm or by appointment
Prerequisite:
BIOS 3120, Biochemistry recommended
Time and Place:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:20 pm
1728 Wood Hall
Credit Hours:
3.0
This course is intended to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to recent concepts in the
biology and biochemistry of animal viruses. There is no required text book. However, it is highly
recommended that students make extensive use of a number of virology texts and journals available in
the university library. There are also a number of web sites and data banks accessible on the internet (see
attached handout). The purpose of these readings is to provide students with some conceptual
background to help comprehend lectures and readings. Most virology text books and web sites contain a
number of factual errors and omissions. Emphasis should, therefore, be placed on lectures and suggested
readings. Lectures will cover recent progress made in animal virology. A general knowledge of protein
and nucleic acid biochemistry, at least at the present high school level, will be essential to understand
lectures and suggested readings. Some basic questions in biochemistry may be included in any or all
exams.
Exams and Scoring:
A total of 100 points with five scoring opportunities as follows:
First Exam. -------------------------- 10 points
Second Exam ----------------------- 25 points
Third Exam ------------------------- 25 points
Review Paper ----------------------- 10 points
Final Exam --------------------------- 30 points
[April 17, ' 01; 7:15 p.m.]
The FINAL [COMPREHENSIVE] EXAM will be constructed as follows: 10 points from lectures
covered in three previous exams [some questions may be from previous exams], and 20 points from
lectures since third exam. Any conflict in the final exam schedule must be resolved during first two
weeks of classes.
Total numerical grade obtained by summing all scoring opportunities will translate into letter grade as
follows:
90-100 = A,
65-71 = C,
85-89 = BA,
57-64 = DC,
79-84 = B,
50-56 = D,
72-78 = CB.
0-49 = E.
2
Review Paper:
Every student will be required to write a review article (not more than 20 double spaced typed pages) on
a specific animal virus. Each student will be assigned a different virus. Students are required to use their
own language. Not a single sentence should be plagiarized from any other author. All facts must be
referenced by number in the text and a detailed bibliography must be included at the end of the review.
Each review must be subdivided into following heads: classification, virion structure, virus genome
including any sequence data available (do not copy the nucleotide sequences, instead refer it to the
databank and access number), viral proteins (both structural and non-structural and their functions), viral
stability in environment (pH, temperature and lipid solvents), replication cycle (including susceptible cell
lines and/or animals, cellular receptors and attachment protein(s), site of virus replication within the cell,
comprehensive biochemistry of virus replication, assembly and release, and detailed clinical picture
including the description of disease in animals and/or humans, route of entry, pathogenesis, diagnosis,
treatment, vaccination and references. Figures and tables (maximum two each) can be included in the
review. These must be referenced, if not original. Figures and tables must be incorporated in the text
using any word processing software. Do not use separate pages. Do not avoid any of these subheadings.
If information is not yet available, say so under that heading. The review will be due any time before the
3rd. exam, and may be submitted as early as possible for necessary comments and corrections prior to
final submission. Students are encouraged to read such reviews in several scientific peer reviewed
journals before writing their own. First page must name the virus, student name, course title and number
and social security number.
Make-up Exams:
Any make-up exam will be by special arrangements only, and will require written documentation for an
excused absence. Exams are to be made up immediately after return to class and only approved excused
absences are eligible for a make-up exam. There will be no make-up review papers.
Academic Honesty:
Academic ethical standards regarding cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, facilitating academic dishonesty
and consequences of these actions are all described in the WMU Undergraduate Catalog. Students
sometimes do not understand the definitions of academic standards (e.g. plagiarism) and unwittingly are
party to improper conduct. Thus it is important to familiarize yourself with this part of the written
definitions described above. Reading these regulations is strongly recommended.
Date
Topic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.
January 2, 0000
Overview of Virology
2.
Analytical Technology in Virus Research
3.
Structure and Classification of Viruses
4.
Viral Replication
5.
Viral Genetics
6.
Review and Discussion I
7.
First Exam
8.
Pathogenesis and Immunology of Virus Infections
3
9.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infections
10.
Persistent Viral Infections
11.
Tumor Virology I
12.
Tumor Virology II
13.
Review and Discussion II
14.
Second Exam
15.
Anti-Viral Chemotherapy
16.
Plus-Strand RNA Viruses without Envelopes
17.
Plus-Strand RNA Viruses with Envelopes
18.
Minus-Strand RNA Viruses
19.
Double-Stranded RNA Viruses
20.
Review and Discussion III
21.
Third Exam [ also Last Day for Review Submission]
22.
Small and Medium DNA Viruses
23.
Large DNA Viruses
24.
Viruses, Prions and Viroids
25.
Virology and Chemotherapy of AIDS
26.
Review and Discussion IV
27.
April 17, 0000
Final Exam
7:15 p.m.
Any conflicts in the final exam must be resolved during the first two weeks of classes.